So B.C. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO John Winter is concerned with the speed of implementation of minimum wage to reach $10.25 per hour.
It’s hypocritical if not laughable.
As to speed, a decade has passed since the minimum wage was increased and that is a direct result of businesses digging in their heels, even during the boom times, to any suggestion of an increase.
So while businesses were padding their bottom lines and giving themselves (as they still do) hefty wages, bonuses and perks, those that helped create that wealth were left behind.
According to Statistics Canada’s 2006 census on income and earnings, the richest fifth of the population grew 16.4 per cent between 1980 and 2005 while the poorest fifth saw earnings tumble 20.6 per cent over the same period and earnings for those in the middle stagnated.
And there is absolutely no indication that this trend is changing. In fact it has become a runaway train.
Mr. Winter also conveniently forgets that taxpayers are already very generous to businesses, picking up the tab and doing without vital social services so that their tax breaks/credits/incentives (whatever you want to call them) remain in place.
Then there’s the government loans at premium interest rates to which businesses avail themselves, all thanks to taxpayers.
As a final insult Mr. Winter touts how “the chamber network provides an invaluable resource for policy and decision makers.” So do citizens and we are tired of being likened to children… seen but not heard.
Janice Crawford, Surrey
Chamber of Commerce not endearing itself to workers
B.C. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO John Winter whines on behalf of the chamber. This is the organization that has vehemently opposed raising the minimum wage for 10 years.
Maybe if it had gone up to $9 an hour five years ago, this increase wouldn’t be such a shock.
Also I can’t wait for the Charter complaint of discrimination for servers having a different minimum wage than other workers.
Rick Hobbs, Delta
